Periodontal disease is an inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around the teeth. It’s caused by bacteria that accumulate in the mouth, forming soft plaque that later hardens into tartar. If untreated, periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the most common disease among dogs. It affects more than 8 out of 10 dogs over 3 years of age.

Oral disease typically develops in stages:

  • Stage 1- Gum tissue around the teeth can become inflamed and swollen. Plaque and tartar are usually present
  • Stage 2- Inflammation progresses to an infection that starts to destroy gum and bone tissue around the teeth. Bad breath may be noticeable
  • Stage 3-Continuning infection destroys more tissue around the teeth, often causing bleeding gums and loosening of teeth.
  • Stage 4-Extensive infection is tearing down even more of the attachment tissues (gum and bone). Teeth are at risk of being lost.

Part of the treatment plan will include a professional dental cleaning under carefully monitored anesthesia, pre-anesthetic blood work, antibiotics, and pain medication as needed.

Serious health issues can occur the teeth are not taken care of properly. Infections occur when the bacteria, which form the plague and tartar, on uncared-for teeth gets into your bloodstream. From there, it can create internal infections and irreversible side effects including heart failure.

A teeth cleaning includes:

  • Oral exam
  • Subgingival scaling
  • Tooth scaling
  • Polishing
  • Rinsing

What you and your pet will receive in your take home packet:

  • Before and after pictures of your pets teeth
  • Home dental care tips
  • How to brush your pet’s teeth handout
  • Tooth brush and tooth paste kit

If your pet has brown/yellow teeth, bad breath, or is having difficulty eating, these could all be signs of dental disease. Please call us at (903) 693-7166 (Panelo County) or (903) 657-7120 (Rusk County) today to learn more and schedule your pet’s’ dental cleaning.

This patient was presented with Stage 4 periodontal disease with gingival irritation. There was severe tartar on left side of mouth and 13 teeth were extracted during the teeth cleaning.